Latch for menu frames



June 8, 1948. MOORE 2,442,902

LATCH FOR MENU FRAMES FiledNov. 1'7, 1945 IN VEN TOR.

mgzwwa ATTU RNEYE Patented June 8, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICELATCH FUR MENU FRAMES Thomas E. Moore, Winter Haven, Fla.

Application November 17, 1943, Serial No. 510,697

2 Claims.

My invention relates to clips and has among its objects and advantagesthe provision of an improved clip adapted to support display menuswhereby the menu may be viewed without handling the menu with the hands.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a face view of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a. top view.

Figure 4 is a sectional View along the line 4---& of Figure 1, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a latch.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, I make useof a frame Ill com prising two sheets or frame members I2 of like sizeand shape between which is positioned a U- shaped frame member I 4. Themembers I2 and I4 may be cemented into a unitary structure along theirmeeting faces, with the member I4 functioning as a spacer. Thin stripsI6 are cemented to side and bottom edge margins of the frame members I2and I4.

Both members I2 converge upwardly to a rounded point I8, and the twomembers are spaced at their upper ends for the reception of a stiffeningmember 28 and menu sheets 22 lying on opposite sides of the stiffeningsheet. This assembly slides freely between the two members I2 and is ofsuch width as to slide freely between the two vertical legs of the framemember I4,

Sight openings 24 are provided in the two members l2 to expose thereading area of the respective menu sheets 22. These sheets are heldbetween the two members I2 about the four marginal edges of the sheets,so that the latter will be held firmly in the frame structure inaddition to presenting a neat appearance.

A carrier or latch 26 is provided for the upper ends of the two membersI2. This latch comprises a flexible sheet bent to provide asubstantially U-shaped body 28 cut inwardly of two opposite edge marginsat its medial portion, as at 30 to provide two sets of fingers 32 and34. One of the fingers 34 overlaps partly with the other finger 34 andthe two fingers in continuation form a cylindrical portion of the body28, but the fingers are detached for relative movement. The fingers 32are straight and tangentially arranged with respect to the cylindricalportion. and form finger receiving openings therebetween.

Aligned openings 36 are provided in the members I2, within which thecylindrical body 28 has snug fitting engagement, but with the fingers 32at the two ends of the cylindrical member engaging the outer faces ofthe two members I2. When the latch 26 is positioned in accordance withFigures 1 and 2, the cylindrical body 28 is under slight fiexure so thatthe latch will fit firm ly in the openings. To position the latch in theopenings, the two fingers at one end of the bylindrical body 28 are bentto the contour of the cylindrical body for insertion through the alignedopenings, and the overlapping fingers 34 provide an unbroken cylindricalsurface engageable with the wall faces of the openings 36.

The menu carrying frame structure may be.

mounted in a supporting base to be supported in an upright position onthe table, The latch 26 comprises a finger insert through the medium ofwhich the menu may be handled without touching any part of the framestructure, and the frame structure need not be handled by the publie.The device will therefore be kept in a sanitary and neat and cleanappearing condition. The menu sheets may be easily removed forsubstitution of new sheets by merely withdrawing the latch 26. Thetapered en-ds I8 may be separated sufiicientl far to permit the menusheets and the stiffening sheet to be easily withdrawn or pushed intoplace.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain myinvention, that others :may, by applying current knowledge, readilyadapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

Iclaim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a latch having asubstantially U-shaped body provided with finger receiving openings ateach end thereof, said body being formed at its medial portion withoverlapping inwardly curved fingers, said fingers being spaced from theside edges of said body, vertically extending fingers on either side ofthe first fingers, the space between said downwardly extending fingersforming a slot to receive a plurality of sheets which are retainedtherein by said vertical fingers.

2. A device of the character described comprising a latch, having asheet metal substantially U-shaped body with finger receiving openingsin each end thereof, said body having its end split to provide inner andouter end portions, the material of the body being bent inwardly at theterminal point of the inner split end portion to provide centraloverlapping curved fingers and the outer end portions forming dependingsi-de finger on either side of said inwardly curved 3 fingers, saiddepending side fingers being formed tangentially of said body andproviding a. slot therebetween to hold said sheets of material on saidlatch.

THOMAS E. MOORE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 279,490 Lane June 12, 1883 Number

